Sunday, April 29, 2012

The newsmags fell to season lows, as did "The Good Wife." "The Amazing Race" fell four three tenths from last week, to tie its season low. "NYC 22" should be pulled any minute now. A new episode of "America's Funniest Home Videos" tied was only a tenth above the 1.4 posted by last week's rerun.

rating	show	slot	network	last week	season low	series low
0.9	Harry's Law "And the Band Played On"	8pm	NBC	0.9	0.8	0.8
0.8	Dateline "Cheating"	7pm	NBC	1.2	0.8 (2)	?
1.2	60 Minutes	7pm	CBS	1.8	1.2	?
1.2	NYC 22 "Thugs & Lovers"	10pm	CBS	1.4	1.2
1.4	America's Funniest Home Videos	7pm	ABC		0.9	?
1.5	Cleveland "B.M.O.C."	7:30	FOX		1.2 (3)	1.2 (3)
1.7	The Good Wife "The Dream Team"	9pm	CBS	1.9	1.7 (2)	1.7 (2)
1.8	GCB "Adam & Eve's Rib"	10pm	ABC		1.5
1.9	Bob's Burgers "Dr. Yap"	8:30	FOX		1.7	1.7
2.0	Cleveland "Jesus Walks"	9:30	FOX		1.2 (3)	1.2 (3)
2.0	Celebrity Apprentice "Jingle All the Way Home"	9-11pm	NBC	2.1	1.8	1.8
2.3	The Amazing Race "I Need Hair to Be Pretty"	8pm	CBS	2.6	2.2	2.2
2.3	The Simpsons "A Totally Fun Thing Bart Will Never Do Again"	8pm	FOX		2.0	2.0
2.5	Desperate Housewives "Lost My Power"	9pm	ABC		1.8	1.8
2.8	Family Guy "Mr. and Mrs. Stewie"	9pm	FOX		2.5 (2)	2.5 (2)
3.0	Once Upon a Time "The Stranger"	8pm	ABC	3.0	2.8
1.1	rerun - The Simpsons "Exit Through the Kwik-E Mart"	7pm	FOX		2.0	2.0

sources: spotted ratings and tv by the numbers

Network Upfronts, 2012

The network portion of the upfronts kicks off in two weeks. Expect their 2012-2013 TV season schedules to leak hours or days before the formal announcements.

NBC - Morning of Monday, May 14
FOX - Afternoon of Monday, May 14
ABC - Morning of Tuesday, May 15
CBS - Afternoon of Wednesday, May 16
CW - Morning of Thursday, May 17

source: MBB

Excuse of the Day

A LATE SPRING LAUNCH VIRTUALLY ASSURED THIS SHOW WOULD FAIL ON CBS.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

"48 Hours" tied its season low. The rest? Reruns, burn-offs, NASCAR, and a movie.

rating	show	slot	network	last week	season low	series low
0.3	Escape Routes "Episode 5"	8pm	NBC	0.3	0.2 (2)
0.5	The Firm "Chapter Fifteen"	9pm	NBC	0.3	0.3 (3)
0.9	48 Hours Mystery "Death Wish"	10pm	CBS	1.0	0.9 (2)	?
1.6	NASCAR Capital City 400, Richmond International Raceway	7-11pm	FOX
1.5	movie - The Blind Side (2009)	8-11pm	ABC
0.5	rerun - NCIS "A Desperate Man"	8pm	CBS		3.1 (2)	2.4
0.5	rerun - The Mentalist "Red Moon"	9pm	CBS		1.8	1.8
0.7	rerun - Law & Order: SVU "Valentine's Day"	10pm	NBC		1.6 (2)	1.6 (2)

sources: spotted ratings and tv by the numbers



ᴥ ᴥ ᴥ ᴥ

Excuse of the Day

Really, really good, like, so good, really.

The CBS Sitcom Shuffle

I've been playing CBS network programmer on twitter (!?).

CBS has many good (rated) sitcoms and not enough good dramas. Comedies are hot, dramas are not.

It's pretty much a given that CBS will expand their comedy portfolio by an hour next season. Thursday at 9pm would be the most logical place to build

With the prospect of facing "The Voice" and "Dancing with the Stars" on Mondays this Fall, CBS should keep its Monday sitcom line-up as strong as possible.

Monday's weak link, "Mike & Molly" has had the benefit of a "Two and a Half Men" lead-in for two seasons. It's time for those two birds to leave the nest.

But recognize that the weak link faced the strongest half hours of "Dancing" and "The Voice."

Thursday at 8pm without "The Big Bang Theory" becomes a weak time slot. The top dog in the hour in the Fall, "The X Factor," doesn't hurt CBS the way it hurts ABC & NBC, and is the main reason ABC & NBC can't capitalize on this vacuum.

CBS is known for its stability. Keeping 3/4 of the Monday lineup intact, and "Rules of Engagement" on Thursdays at 8:30 will provide that stability.

Fueling speculation (from me, at least) about the "Mike & Molly" pairing with "Rules of Engagement" is their rerun paring on April 20 at 8-9pm, as well as their scheduled rerun pairing on Wednesday, May 16, at 8-9pm.


CBS Sitcoms on Monday
8pm How I Met Your Mother
8:30 2 Broke Girls
9pm Two and a Half Men
9:30 new sitcom

CBS Sitcoms on Thursday
8pm Mike & Molly
8:30 Rules of Engagement
9pm The Big Bang Theory
9:30 new sitcom



But what do I know? I've never seen a full episode of any of these shows.

Friday, April 27, 2012

"Undercover Boss" continues its descent into the Friday quicksand. "CSI: NY" and "Blue Bloods" tied its series lows, as did "Shark Tank," "What Would You Do?" and the CW shows. "Nikita".

rating	show	slot	network	last week	season low	series low
0.4	Nikita "Shadow Walker"	8pm	CW	0.4	0.4 (4)	0.4 (4)
0.7	Supernatural "The Girl with the D&D Tattoo"	9pm	CW	0.7	0.6	0.6
1.0	Who Do You Think You Are? "Rob Lowe"	8pm	NBC		0.8	?
1.0	Fringe "World's Apart"	9pm	FOX	1.0	0.9 (2)	0.9 (2)
1.1	Primetime: What Would You Do?	9pm	ABC	1.3	1.1 (2)	1.1 (2)
1.1	The Finder "The Inheritance"	8pm	FOX	1.2	0.9
1.1	Dateline "Sean Goldman"	10pm	NBC	1.4	0.8	?
1.4	Grimm "Leave It to Beavers"	9pm	NBC	1.3	1.2
1.4	20/20 "True Confessions"	10pm	ABC	1.2	0.8	?
1.5	CSI: NY "Slainte"	9pm	CBS		1.4	1.4
1.4	Shark Tank	8pm	ABC		1.4	1.1
1.5	Blue Bloods "Working Girls"	10pm	CBS		1.5	1.5 (3)
1.6	Undercover Boss "Philly Pretzel Factory"	8pm	CBS		1.6	1.6

sources: spotted ratings and tv by the numbers



Site Updates
I speculated on the CBS sitcom lineups for next Fall, and updated the Series Lows.



★ ★ ★ ★

Excuse of the Day

PRIMETIME CONTINUES TO LOSE VIEWERS TO LONGER DAYS AND WARMER SPRINGTIME

Thursday, April 26, 2012

"Parks and Recreation" set a new low, despite Tina Fey's plea on a live episode of "30 Rock." "The Office" went down. "The Big Bang Theory" dropped to a season low, which had been 4.4. Every rookie series except "Scandal" was at a low.

rating	show	slot	network	last week	season low	series low
0.5	The Secret Circle	9pm	CW	0.5	0.5 (2)
0.8	Awake	10pm	NBC	0.8	0.8
1.1	The Vampire Diaries	8pm	CW	1.0	1.0	1.0
1.4	Missing	8pm	ABC	1.4	1.4 (2)
1.4	Community	8pm	NBC	1.3	1.3 (2)	1.3 (2)
1.6	Parks & Recreation	9:30	NBC	1.7	1.6	1.6
1.6	30 Rock live	8:30	NBC	1.5	1.2	1.2
1.9	Touch	9pm	FOX	2.1	1.9
2.1	The Office	9pm	NBC	2.2	2.1	2.1
2.0	Scandal	10pm	ABC	2.0	2.0 (2)
2.2	The Mentalist	10pm	CBS		1.8	1.8
2.4	Person of Interest	9pm	CBS		2.4
2.5	Rules of Engagement	8:30	CBS	2.2	2.2	1.9
3.3	Grey's Anatomy	9pm	ABC	3.3	2.8	2.8
4.0	American Idol	8pm	FOX	4.0	3.9	3.9
4.1	The Big Bang Theory	8pm	CBS		4.1	2.8

sources: spotted ratings and tv by the numbers


Site Update
I spent pre-hockey primetime on Friday updating the 2011-2012 U.S. Network Primetime Schedule for the first time since the nets announced their midseason schedules, while the A's beat the O's.



★ ★ ★ ★

FULL TV SCHEDULE FOR THE SECOND ROUND OF THE NHL PLAYOFFS


Capitals vs Rangers

Saturday, April 28, 3pm, in New York
Monday, April 30, 7:30, in New York
Wednesday, May 2, 7:30, in D.C.
Saturday, May 5, 3pm, in D.C.
Monday, May 7, 7:30
Wednesday, May 9, 7:30
Saturday, May 12



★ ★ ★ ★

Excuse of the Day

THE BROADCAST NETWORKS FACED THE NFL DRAFT COVERAGE ON ESPN AND THE NFL NETWORK

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

It's a new series low for "Survivor," again. "Revenge" tied its series low, as did "Model." "Rock Center" was up three tenths.

rating	show	slot	network	last week	season low	series low
0.5	America's Next Top Model	9pm	CW	0.6	0.5 (4)	0.5 (4)
0.9	Rock Center	9pm	NBC	0.6	0.5 (April 11)
0.8	Best Friends Forever	8:30	NBC	0.8	0.8 (2)
1.7	Off Their Rockers	8pm	NBC	1.6	1.6 (2)
1.7	Law & Order: SVU	10pm	NBC	1.6	1.6 (3)	1.6 (3)
2.1	Revenge	10pm	ABC	2.3	2.1 (Nov. 23)
2.0	Don't Trust the Bitch in Apartment 23	9:30	ABC	2.6	2.6
2.7	Survivor	8pm	CBS	2.8	2.7	2.7
4.8	American Idol	8-10pm	FOX	4.8	3.9	3.9
0.3	rerun - The L.A. Complex	8pm	CW
1.3	rerun - The Middle	8pm	ABC		2.1	1.7 (2009)
1.4	rerun - Suburgatory	8:30	ABC	2.0	2.0
1.5	rerun - CSI	10pm	CBS		2.4	2.3 (2011)
1.8	rerun - Criminal Minds	9pm	CBS		2.8	2.8
2.2	rerun - Modern Family	9pm	ABC	4.1	4.1	2.5 (2009)

sources: spotted ratings and tv by the numbers



★ ★ ★ ★

1.3 Million Viewers Watched Wednesday's Capitals / Bruins Game



"Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series between the victorious Washington Capitals and the Boston Bruins drew 1.32 million viewers, marking the highest quarterfinal number ever for NBCSN/VERSUS/OLN, and the highest for a quarterfinal game on cable since 2000 (SJ/STL, Game 7, 4/25/00: 1.55 million). "



★ ★ ★ ★

I Don't Think So

I’m sure that NBC wants to renew Betty White’s Off Their Rockers, but it all depends on Betty White who has a busy schedule.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

"Private Practice" rebounded up half a point from last week's series low.

rating	show	slot	network	season low	series low
0.3	The L.A. Complex series debut	9pm	CW	0.3
0.6	90210	8pm	CW	0.6 (4)	0.6 (4)
1.5	Fashion Star	10pm	NBC	1.5 (5)
1.5	Cougar Town	8:30	ABC	1.4	1.4
2.2	The Biggest Loser	8pm	NBC	1.9	1.9
2.2	Private Practice	10pm	ABC	1.7	1.7
2.4	Dancing with the Stars	9pm	ABC	2.3	2.3
2.6	New Girl	9pm	FOX	2.3	2.3
2.7	Glee	8pm	FOX	2.5	2.5
3.4	The Voice	9pm	NBC	3.2	3.2
1.3	rerun - Last Man Standing	8pm	ABC	1.6
1.4	rerun - New Girl	9pm	FOX	2.3
1.5	rerun - Unforgettable	10pm	CBS	1.8
1.7	rerun - NCIS: LA	9pm	CBS	2.4	2.4
2.0	rerun - NCIS	8pm	CBS	3.1 (2)	2.4

sources: spotted ratings and tv by the numbers

★ ★ ★ ★

Teams That Surround Goalie & Block Shots Advance in NHL Playoffs

"In eliminating the Blackhawks on Monday night, the Coyotes basically played the first half of the game like they were killing a 30-minute penalty. When they took the lead on a second-period power-play goal, the shots were 26-5 for the Blackhawks. But the Coyotes, Blues, Kings and Predators all play a similar style in the West and the Panthers, Rangers and Bruins have adopted the same template in the East. The Flyers, in fact, are the sole remaining speed-and-skill team left in the playoffs."

★ ★ ★ ★

Excuse of the Day

 GROWING DVR PLAYBACK COMBINED WITH NICE SPRING WEATHER HAS RESULTED IN A PILE-UP OF SHOWS

Monday, April 23, 2012

"Bones" and the CW shows were at series lows. "Dancing with the Stars" and "House" were up three tenths over last week.

rating	show	slot	network	season low	series low
0.5	Gossip Girl	8pm	CW	0.5 (6)	0.5 (6)
0.5	Hart of Dixie	9pm	CW	0.5 (4)
2.0	Smash	10pm	NBC	1.9
2.1	20/20 (DWTS special)	10pm	ABC	0.9	?
2.2	Bones	8pm	FOX	2.2 (3)	2.2 (4)
2.3	House	9pm	FOX	1.9	1.9
3.2	Dancing with the Stars	8-10pm	ABC	2.3	2.3
3.8	The Voice	8-10pm	NBC	3.2	3.2
1.6	rerun - Hawaii Five-0	10pm	CBS	2.5 (2)	2.3
1.7	rerun - Mike & Molly	9:30	CBS	2.9	2.3
1.7	rerun - 2 Broke Girls	8:30	CBS	3.4
1.7	rerun - How I Met Your Mother	8pm	CBS	3.1	2.5 (3)
2.0	rerun -Two and a Half Men	9pm	CBS	3.6 (2)	3.6 (3)

sources: spotted ratings and tv by the numbers



★ ★ ★ ★

3.5 Million Americans Watch NHL Game

Capitals goalie Braden Holby
Photo credit: Chris Gordon

"The Bruins at Capitals Game 6 last Sunday on NBC drew 3.52 million viewers, making it the most-watched NHL Playoff game (excluding Stanley Cup Final games) in 15 years, since May 25, 1997 (Rangers-Flyers Conference Final game, Fox, 3.61 million viewers)." -- NBC PR

★ ★ ★ ★

Excuse of the Day

LOW NUMBERS YES BUT THIS NETWORK IS SERIOUSLY CHANGING.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Yet another Tony Danza sitcom is being developed.

Most series skated a tenth (or four) above their season lows.

rating	show	slot	network	season low	series low
0.9	Harry's Law	8pm	NBC	0.8	0.8
1.2	Dateline	7pm	NBC	0.8	?
1.4	NYC 22	10pm	CBS	1.4
1.6	Firelight (Hallmark movie)	9-11pm	ABC
1.8	60 Minutes	7pm	CBS	1.4 (2)	?
1.8	FOX 25th Anniversary Special	8-10pm	FOX
1.9	The Good Wife	9pm	CBS	1.7	1.7
2.1	Celebrity Apprentice	9-11pm	NBC	1.8	1.8
2.6	The Amazing Race	8pm	CBS	2.2	2.2
3.0	Once Upon a Time	8pm	ABC	2.8
1.3	rerun - Married with Children (April 5, 1987)	7pm	FOX
1.4	rerun - America's Funniest Home Videos	7pm	ABC	0.9	?
1.5	rerun - The Simpsons (December 17, 1989)	7:30	FOX	2.0	2.0

sources: spotted ratings and tv by the numbers





★ ★ ★ ★

Excuse of the Day

THE DISRUPTION OF THE ORDERED PATTERN OF EPISODES

Saturday, April 21, 2012

We've probably seen the last of "AMW" on FOX., as this was its lowest rating ever on the network (The series moved to Fridays at 9pm on Lifetime, but its ratings indicate that most of its former viewers don't know that.) "20/20" also had a 2-hour special Saturday edition, which tied its set a new season low.

rating	show	slot	network	season low	series low
0.3	The Firm	9pm	NBC	0.3 (3)
0.3	Escape Routes	8pm	NBC	0.2 (2)
0.8	America's Most Wanted	8-10pm	FOX
0.8	20/20	9-11pm	ABC	0.8	?
1.0	48 Hours Mystery	10pm	CBS	0.9	?
0.4	rerun - CSI	8pm	CBS	2.4	2.3
0.6	rerun - Hawaii 5-0	9pm	CBS	2.5 (2)	2.3
0.7	rerun - Law & Order: SVU	10pm	NBC	1.6 (2)	1.6 (2)
0.8	rerun - Shark Tank	8pm	ABC	1.4	1.1

sources: spotted ratings and tv by the numbers




★ ★ ★ ★

Postscript

You know you're a ratings junkie if you care about Saturday ratings. I wasn't going to post them, but there was a gap between NHL playoff games.

"Married with Children"

Tonight, FOX will celebrate its 25th Anniversary by re-airing the pilot of "Married with Children."

Twenty-five years ago, FOX launched itself into primetime:

Married... With Children premiered Sunday, April 5, 1987 on Fox, with three half-hour broadcasts (7:00 PM, 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM) of the show's "Pilot" episode.

U.S. Channel History of "Married with Children"

FOX, first-run, April 5, 1987, to June 9, 1997, 259 episodes
	local station syndication, 1991 to present
FX, 1998 to July 13, 2008	Antenna TV, January 3, 2011, to March 25, 2012
Viacom deal (5 years, 7am-2am window) Spike, September 27, 2008, to November 13, 2009 TV Land, April 23 to February 1, 2010 Comedy Central, February 8 to May 2, 2010 Spike, July 11, 2010, to Fall 2010 CMT, November 20 and December 11, 2010 TV Land, January 8 to March 5, 2011 CMT, April 1 to June 25, 2011 Nick at Nite, July 6 to August 19, 2011 TV Land, October 10 to November 5, 2011 MTV2, March 12-17, 2012 VH1 Classic, April 2012, to present	Time-Warner (5 years, 2am-7am window) Ion, October 2012 TBS, September 15, 2008, to present

Episodes are available on Netflix, Hulu, Crackle, and other video sites.

All 11 seasons have been released on DVD.

source: sitcoms online. Last updated: September 17, 2012

Friday, April 20, 2012

There were more reruns on last night than there are tonight. Only CW's duo were at lows. Update: Supernatural was adjusted upward 0.1 in the final numbers, and avoided tie-ing its series low.

rating	show	slot	network	season low	series low
0.4	Nikita	8pm	CW	0.4 (3)	0.4 (3)
0.7	Supernatural	9pm	CW	0.6	0.6
1.0	Fringe	9pm	FOX	0.9 (2)	0.9 (2)
1.2	The Finder	8pm	FOX	0.9
1.2	20/20	10pm	ABC	0.9	?
1.3	Grimm	9pm	NBC	1.2
1.3	Primetime: What Would You Do?	9pm	ABC	1.2	1.1
1.4	Dateline	10pm	NBC	0.8	?
0.8	rerun - Who Do You Think You Are?	8pm	NBC	0.8	?
0.8	rerun - Blue Bloods	10pm	CBS	1.6 (4)	1.4
0.8	rerun - CSI: NY	9pm	CBS	1.4	1.4
0.8	rerun - Rules of Engagement	8:30	CBS	2.2	1.9
1.0	rerun - Mike & Molly	8pm	CBS	2.9	2.3
1.2	rerun - Shark Tank	8pm	ABC	1.4	1.1

sources: spotted ratings and tv by the numbers



★ ★ ★ ★

Excuse of the Day

GRAVEYARD FRIDAY

Thursday, April 19, 2012

"Community" fans are in the bargaining stage of grief.

"30 Rock" was the only NBC program to avoid tie-ing a series low. CW's top show falls to a new low. Every rookie series was at a season low.

rating	show	slot	network	season low	series low
0.5	The Secret Circle	9pm	CW	0.5	0.5
0.9	Awake	10pm	NBC	0.9 (3)
1.0	The Vampire Diaries	8pm	CW	1.0	1.0
1.3	Community	8pm	NBC	1.3	1.3 (2)
1.4	Missing	8pm	ABC	1.4 (2)
1.5	30 Rock	8:30	NBC	1.2	1.2
1.7	Parks & Recreation	9:30	NBC	1.7	1.7 (6)
2.0	Scandal	10pm	ABC	2.0
2.1	Touch	9pm	FOX	2.1
2.2	The Office	9pm	NBC	2.2	2.2 (2)
2.2	Rules of Engagement	8:30	CBS	2.2	1.9
3.3	Grey's Anatomy	9pm	ABC	2.8	2.8
4.0	American Idol	8pm	FOX	3.9	3.9
1.5	rerun - Person of Interest	9pm	CBS	2.6
1.5	rerun - The Mentalist	10pm	CBS	1.8	1.8
2.5	rerun - The Big Bang Theory	8pm	CBS	4.4	2.8

sources: spotted ratings and tv by the numbers





★ ★ ★ ★

Excuse of the Day

VIEWER FATIGUE IN THE HOMESTRETCH OF A LONG BROADCAST SEASON

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Technically, only the two lowest-rated shows didn't fall to season lows (though both did last week). "Revenge" was reported to have a series low because the episode that rated 2.1 on November 23 was designated as a special. "American Idol" had its lowest-rated performance episode.

rating	show	slot	network	season low	series low
0.6	America's Next Top Model	9pm	CW	0.5	0.5 (3)
0.6	Rock Center	9pm	NBC	0.5 (April 11)
0.8	Best Friends Forever	8:30	NBC	0.8
1.6	Off Their Rockers	8pm	NBC	1.6 (2)
1.6	Law & Order: SVU	10pm	NBC	1.6	1.6 (3)
2.0	Suburgatory	8:30	ABC	2.0
2.3	Revenge	10pm	ABC	2.1 (Nov. 23)
2.6	Don't Trust the Bitch in Apartment 23	9:30	ABC	2.6
2.8	Survivor	8pm	CBS	2.8	2.8
4.1	Modern Family	9pm	ABC	4.1	2.5 (2009)
4.8	American Idol	8-10pm	FOX	3.9	3.9
0.4	rerun - America's Next Top Model	8pm	CW
1.3	rerun - The Middle	8pm	ABC	2.1	1.7 (2009)
1.5	rerun - CSI	10pm	CBS	2.4	2.3 (2011)
1.7	rerun - Criminal Minds	9pm	CBS	2.8	2.8

sources: spotted ratings and tv by the numbers



★ ★ ★ ★

Is the DVR the Culprit?


The Difference Between C+3 and Live Viewing of Primetime Network Programs

17% January through March 2012
13% October through December 2011
8% July through September 2011


Late adopters have finally adapted. The first TiVos shipped 13 years ago.



★ ★ ★ ★

Excuse of the Day

SPRINGTIME IN FULL FORCE

Your 19 Channels

I get 150 channels and I want more.  

But if I had to pick 19, it would be these:

1. NBC Sports Network 
2. NHL Network
3. local cable sports channel
4. NBC 
5. FOX
6. MSNBC
7. Comedy Central
8. FX
9. Cartoon Network
10. The Hub
11. E!
12. Antenna TV
13. IFC
14. Turner Classic Movies
15. ThisTV
16. Animal Planet
17. Science Channel
18. PBS
19. mtvU

I would also need the HBO package and the DVR.

Personally, I'd be giving up 125 channels just to cut my cable bill by 30%.

A la carte sucks.

This Is What NBC Was Promoting

With NBC currently flat-lining every day that doesn't begin with "Mon," maybe it's true that NBC has been successfully using sports as a promotional platform.

Let's look back at the new series NBC was promoting during the last Summer Olympics, in Beijing in 2008.

America's Toughest Jobs
Crusoe
Kath & Kim
Knight Rider
My Own Worst Enemy

A missed opportunity.


How about the new shows for Fall 2009 that were promoted week after week during Sunday Night Football?

Community
The Jay Leno Show
Mercy
Trauma

One fan favorite that continues to hang on by its fingernails.


What about new Spring series promoted during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics?

The Marriage Ref
Parenthood
Who Do You Think You Are?

Two of them are still around, but by no means are they hits.


Fall 2010?

Chase
The Event
Law & Order: Los Angeles
Outlaw
Outsourced
Undercovers

That is embarrassing.


Fall 2011?

Free Agents
Grimm
The Playboy Club
Prime Suspect
Up All Night
Whitney

Ouch.


But Fall 2012 is going to be different!

How Bad Have the Ratings Been?

In April's first 12 days, more than 20 series have set or tied series lows, and some of these lows are milestones.

The Office finally beat its previous series low of 2.3 set seven years ago.
CSI: Miami went out out on a new low.
Heading down its final stretch, House fell below 2.0 for the first time. On the same night, Bones tied a series low set in 2009.
American Idol fell below 4.0 for the first time.
NBC's savior The Voice dropped to new lows, and its top drama, Smash, has yet to bottom out.
2.5 Men tied its series low of 3.6, first set five years ago (but also tied this February).

This follows a normally-bad-but-not-this-bad February and March, when The CW posted lows across the schedule, and The Simpsons bottomed out at 2.0.


Six weeks remain in the season. It may get worse.

Excuses, Excuses

Friday was "Good Friday." Thursday was deemed "Holiday Thursday." Sunday will be "Easter." Saturday is sure to be "Easter Eve." And we're still in that Daylight Savings Time Depression. Before DST, it was the favorable winter weather.

Maybe the TV season is too long.